ATLANTA — Planning work is beginning on the final segment of Atlanta’s Beltline project, which is using inactive rail rights-of-way for most of its 22-mile route. But, as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, no such route exists for its 4.4-mile northwestern segment, while an active railroad yard is one of the major barriers to be faced.
Eight miles of the 22-mile Beltline, which is supposed to eventually encircle downtown Atlanta with both a biking and hiking trail and light-rail line, have been paved. A dirt path exists for another four miles; none of the transit line has yet been built. But the route must cross Norfolk Southern’s Inman Yard, and may also seek to share a route under Interstate 75 that contains a CSX Transportation main line.
A Norfolk Southern spokesman told the newspaper the railroad has not held talks with the city about the Beltline crossing the yard. CSX declined to comment.
The Beltline must also find a way across busy Peachtree Road, and through affluent residential neighborhoods. The Journal-Constitution says about 15 people are studying maps and real estate information to determine the route which has the best chance of being built.
